What Is Fraxel® Dual?

Fraxel® Dual is a non‑ablative fractional laser that creates thousands of tiny, precise treatment zones in the skin while leaving the surrounding tissue intact. This design helps the skin heal more quickly by stimulating collagen production and encouraging the shedding and replacement of damaged, discolored cells with fresher skin.

• “Dual” refers to its two wavelengths: one targets deeper layers for texture and scars, and the other focuses on the surface for brown spots and overall tone.
• It is often described as a “workhorse” resurfacing laser for patients who want more change than a light laser facial but less downtime than fully ablative CO2 lasers.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Fraxel Dual?

Fraxel® Dual is an excellent option for adults in the Reno-Tahoe area who want to improve the overall quality of their skin without surgery or significant downtime. Good candidates include individuals with sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone or texture, enlarged pores, acne scars, or mild-to-moderate pigmentation concerns. It’s well-suited for patients looking for gradual, natural-looking rejuvenation and can be customized for different skin types and concerns.

How Does Fraxel Dual Work?

Fraxel Dual delivers microscopic columns of laser energy into the skin, known as microthermal zones, while leaving surrounding skin intact to speed recovery. The controlled heat prompts collagen remodeling in deeper layers and breaks up excess pigment closer to the surface, which the body then clears over time.

• The deeper wavelength focuses on wrinkles, scars, and texture by stimulating new collagen.
• The more superficial wavelength targets brown spots, sun damage, and uneven color for a more even, brighter complexion.

What Areas Can be Treated with Fraxel Dual?

Fraxel Dual can be used on many sun‑exposed and problem‑prone areas, not just the face. Common areas include:

• the face, neck, chest, and hands to improve overall skin quality and sun damage
• shoulders, arms, or other areas with scars

Benefits of Fraxel Dual

Fraxel Dual is a popular treatment at The Skin Institute at Skin Cancer & Dermatology Institute in the Reno-Tahoe area because it addresses multiple concerns in a single treatment plan and delivers meaningful results with a manageable recovery window.

• Smoother texture, softer fine lines, and reduced appearance of acne or surgical scars
• Fading of sun spots and discoloration, brighter tone, and an overall more refreshed, even‑looking complexion

What Should I Expect During a Session?

A typical Fraxel Dual visit is straightforward and designed for comfort, with numbing and cooling to help you tolerate the laser’s heat.

• Your skin is cleansed, photos may be taken, and topical numbing cream is applied for about 30 to 60 minutes before treatment.
• Your Licensed Aesthetician moves the laser methodically across each area. During the laser treatment, you may experience warmth and a prickling or “rubber‑band snap” sensation; cooling air is often used for comfort.

How Long Does a Fraxel Dual Treatment Take?

• The laser portion for the face alone usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area and how many passes are made.
• With numbing, photos, and aftercare instructions, you can expect to be in the office roughly 60 to 90 minutes for a typical session.

What Is the Downtime and Recovery?

Fraxel Dual has real but temporary downtime, often described as resembling a sunburn, with bronzing and flaking. Your Licensed Aesthetician will review the aftercare with you to support your recovery.

• For most people, visible redness and swelling are strongest in the first 1 to 2 days, followed by several days of bronzing, roughness, and peeling or flaking.
• Many patients feel “socially presentable” in about 5 to 7 days, though mild pinkness and dryness can linger a bit longer.

Possible Side Effects

Most effects are expected parts of healing, but your Licensed Aesthetician will review rarer risks based on your skin and health history.

Typical, temporary effects include redness, swelling, warmth, tightness, dryness, bronzing, and flaking or peeling.

Results: Immediate and Ongoing

Fraxel Dual offers a mix of quick wins and gradual, long‑term improvements as collagen rebuilds.

• Short‑term, as the flaking clears, usually within 1 to 2 weeks, skin often looks brighter, feels smoother, and brown spots may look lighter.
• Over the following 3 to 6 months, collagen remodeling can further soften fine lines and scars and refine texture, especially after a full series of 3 to 5 treatments, with results maintained longer by sun protection and occasional maintenance sessions.

Fraxel Dual FAQ

• What exactly is Fraxel Dual?
  Fraxel Dual is a fractional laser treatment that uses two wavelengths to resurface the skin, stimulate collagen production, and fade discoloration with less downtime than many fully ablative lasers. It focuses on tiny spots of skin at a time, so healthy surrounding tissue helps everything heal more quickly and smoothly.
• Am I a good candidate for Fraxel Dual?
  You may be a good candidate if you have fine lines, acne scars, sunspots, or uneven texture, and you can tolerate several days of redness and peeling. A consultation is essential if you have darker skin, pigment issues, recent tanning, or certain medical conditions, to ensure the treatment can be customized safely.
• How does Fraxel Dual improve my skin?
  The laser creates controlled micro‑injuries that trigger your body to build new collagen and shed damaged, pigmented cells. Over time, this process smooths texture, softens lines and scars, and brightens overall tone.
• Which body areas can be treated?
  Fraxel Dual is most commonly used on the face, neck, chest, and hands. It can also be used on other areas with sun damage or scars when your Licensed Aesthetician feels it is appropriate.
• What are the main benefits I can expect?
  Most patients notice smoother skin, softer fine lines, and a reduction in the appearance of acne and surgical scars. Brown spots and sun damage can fade, leaving the skin looking more even, bright, and refreshed.
• What happens during a Fraxel Dual session?
  Your skin is cleansed, numbing cream is applied, and then the laser hand piece is passed across the treatment area in a grid‑like pattern. You will feel heat and prickling, but air cooling and numbing help keep it tolerable, and the treatment itself usually moves pretty quickly.
• How long does each treatment take?
  Plan on about 60 to 90 minutes in the office, including numbing time and aftercare instructions. The laser portion of the treatment typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.
• What is the downtime like?
  Expect a few days of redness and swelling, followed by bronzing, roughness, and peeling that usually lasts about a week. Many people feel comfortable returning to most social activities after days 5 to 7, depending on treatment strength.
• Are there side effects I should know about?
  Temporary redness, swelling, warmth, dryness, and flaking are normal parts of healing.
• When will I see results, and how long do they last?
  You will usually see brighter, smoother skin once the peeling settles in 1 to 2 weeks. Improvements in lines, scars, and overall texture continue to develop for several months, and many patients choose maintenance treatments once or twice a year to keep their results looking fresh.

Make an appointment to discuss laser treatments or other skincare procedures with a Skin Cancer & Dermatology Institute Provider today in the Greater Reno-Tahoe area.